Glen Moray Rhum Agricole

Glen Moray from the distillery, at 46.3%, 3060 bottles in all. Glen Moray is a Speyside single malt and a pioneer of wine cask finishing. It has been owned since 2008 by the French house La Martiniquaise.

Worked through the stills for a light, sweet make, for a light, easy spirit with a soft malt. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the fresh, fruity character to the fore. With no age statement, the oak has given vanillin as vanilla and oak lactones as coconut over the light, fruity spirit. Long ageing turns the fresh apple towards dried fruit, honey and a soft spice. The cool Speyside air gives a slow, even maturation in the Glen Moray warehouses at Elgin. Years in oak round the spirit, the green apple deepening to honey and dried fruit. The light spirit suits a wide range of cask finishes, from sherry to rum. Its light, fresh spirit suits a wide range of cask finishes, from sherry to rum.

Reduced to 46.3%, it is mellow. Green apple, vanilla and a soft honey, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A baked apple and a gentle spice lift it. Apple, pear and a soft oak see out the finish. This is Glen Moray's clean, accessible Speyside style.